U.S. patent application number 11/734657 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for mounting system for light tiles attached to tensioned cables.
This patent application is currently assigned to ELEMENT LABS, INC.. Invention is credited to Matthew Ward.
Application Number | 20070218751 11/734657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38518478 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070218751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Matthew |
September 20, 2007 |
MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR LIGHT TILES ATTACHED TO TENSIONED CABLES
Abstract
Panels can be supported by cables formed out of cable segments.
The cable segments can include a connector end and a latch end.
Inventors: |
Ward; Matthew; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLIESLER MEYER LLP
650 CALIFORNIA STREET
14TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94108
US
|
Assignee: |
ELEMENT LABS, INC.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
38518478 |
Appl. No.: |
11/734657 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11076273 |
Mar 9, 2005 |
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11734657 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60552965 |
Mar 11, 2004 |
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60831907 |
Jul 18, 2006 |
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60884856 |
Jan 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 21/005 20130101;
G09F 19/226 20130101; H01R 31/005 20130101; F21S 2/00 20130101;
F21V 33/006 20130101; H01R 13/6278 20130101; F21V 21/008 20130101;
E04F 2290/026 20130101; G09F 9/3026 20130101; G02B 6/0095 20130101;
G02B 6/0078 20130101; F21Y 2105/00 20130101; F21Y 2115/10
20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/404 |
International
Class: |
H01R 4/24 20060101
H01R004/24 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: cable segments including a connector end
and a latch end, wherein the connector end of one cable segment is
connectable to the latch end of another cable segment; and panels
that connect to the latch ends of the cable segments, wherein cable
segments connect to form cables and the panels hang from the latch
ends on the cable segments.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels are lamps.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels form a display driven
by a video signal.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels include LEDs and a
light guide.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels are windows.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the latch includes release to
disconnect the panel from the latch.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector end of one cable
segment fits inside a groove in the latch end of another cable
segment and is held in place by a spring driven pin on the latch
end of the another cable segment.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels connect to latch ends
of cable segments on two sides
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the panels and cable segments
form a wall.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein a panel can be removed from the
wall without removing any adjacent panels.
11. A cable segment including a connector end and a latch end;
wherein the connector end of the cable segment is connectable to a
latch end of another cable segment and wherein the latch end
contains a portion for connecting to a panel.
12. The cable segment of claim 11, wherein the portion for
connecting to a panel is shaped to fit a section of the panel.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the panels form a display
driven by a video signal.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the panels include LEDs and a
light source.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the latch end includes release
to disconnect the panel from the latch end.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the connector end of one cable
segment fits inside a groove in the latch end of another cable
segment and is held in place by a spring driven pin on the latch
end of the another cable segment.
17. An assembly comprising: a panel with sections on both sides for
connecting to cable segments; and cable segments connected to the
sections on both sides of the panel, the cable segments including a
latch end connected to the panel and a connector end, the latch end
of the cable segments being connectable to connector ends of other
cable segments of other assemblies.
18. The assembly of claim 17 further comprises additional
assemblies to form a wall.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein a panel can be removed from the
wall without removing any adjacent panels.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the panels are lamps.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the panels form a display drawn
by a video signal.
22. The system of claim 17, wherein the panels include LEDs and a
light guide.
23. The system of claim 17, wherein the panels are windows.
24. The system of claim 17, wherein the latch end includes release
to disconnect the panel from the latch end.
25. The system of claim 17, wherein the connector end of one cable
segment fits inside a groove in the latch end of another cable
segment and is held in place by a spring driven pin on the latch
end of the another cable segment.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of the U.S.
Non-Provisional patent application No. 11/076,273; entitled "SYSTEM
FOR CREATING A TENSIONED WALL COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUAL LED TILES"
filed Mar. 9, 2005 which in turn claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/552,965, filed Mar. 11,
2004.
[0002] This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/831,907, filed Jul. 18, 2006 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/884,856, filed Jan. 12,
2007.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to lamps, especially lamps
which contain light emitting diodes.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Existing light tile systems typically require an extruded
aluminum housing that must be attached to a metal frame of some
sort. These frames are ground supported by an external structure or
make use of rigging systems so they may be suspended from a rated
point.
[0005] There are some LED tile systems that are transparent but
that require frames and ground support structures. The systems
require secondary support structures in order to create walls of
significant size. This is an additional cost and the structure
tends to work against the goal of creating a transparent wall
system. Many of these systems are tied to the window size of the
building as designed. These are custom systems using extremely
large light guides which limit the amount of information that can
be communicated.
[0006] Alternative direct view LED systems are available in tubes
and modules but these systems are not intended to provide the fill
level (the percentage of the area of a pixel which generates the
image) that a tile system can provide. These systems do allow some
level of transparency through variable pixel spacing or use in slat
system. Examples of such systems are the Barco MiPix, the Opto Tech
Intelligent Cluster, Lumino and the GLEC system.
[0007] Although some of these systems can be effectively integrated
into the structure of the building they do not themselves
constitute a wall or a structure. Any system must account for long
term service since an installation may stand for decades. LED
systems embedded in glass are an expensive problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0008] The system of one embodiment allows for the creation of a
transparent tile wall supported by support wire, such as a
tensioned aircraft cable. The system only requires access from one
side for the installation and removal of tiles.
[0009] The light tiles can contain light guides which can receive
the light from light source, such as LEDs, and redirect the light
toward viewing positions. The light guide can spread the apparent
source of the light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1A is a diagram of one embodiment illustrating basic
tile configuration.
[0011] FIG. 1B is a diagram that shows a cable segment of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1C is a diagram that illustrates the connection of
cable segments and panels in one embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the detail of a light tile
of one embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the detail of a latch of
one embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the detail of a hook of one
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the detail of a support
cable of one embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating additional detail of a
latch of one embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating multi pixel light
tiles of one embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a further tile layout with
a yet further embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example of a system using panels
and cable segments. FIG. 1A shows an example where an assembly
comprises panel 100 with connection regions 100a and 100b connected
to cable segments 102 and 103. FIG. 1B shows an exemplary cable
segment 110. FIG. 1C shows the connection of the latch end of one
cable segment to a connector end of another cable segment.
[0021] One embodiment of the present invention is a system
comprising cable segments, such as cable segment 110, including a
connector end 110a and a latch end 110b. The connector end of one
cable segment is connectable to the latch end of another cable
segment. Panels can connect to the latch ends of the cable
segments. The cable segments can connect to form cables 101 and the
panels 100 hang from the latch ends on the cable segments.
[0022] The panels can be lamps such as light tiles. The panels can
form a display driven by a video signal. The panels can include
LEDs and a light guide.The panels can alternately be non-light
elements, such as windows or opaque panels.
[0023] The latch end can include a release 128 to disconnect a
panel from the latch. The connector end 120 of one cable segment
can fit inside a groove 129 in the latch end 124 of another cable
segment 126 and can be held in place by a spring driven pin 130 on
the latch end 124 of the another cable segment 126.
[0024] The cable segments can be made of metal or another material.
The panels can connect to latch ends of cable segments on two
sides.
[0025] The panels and cable segments can form a wall. A panel can
be removed from the wall without removing any adjacent panels since
the panels can rest on, but not interfere with the cable
segment.
[0026] One embodiment of the present invention is a cable segment
110 including a connector end 110a and a latch end 11Ob. The
connector end 110a of the cable segment 110c is connectable to a
latch end of another cable segment. The latch end can contain a
portion 110c for connecting to a panel.
[0027] FIG. 1C shows a section 132 on latch end 124 connect to a
portion 134 of a panel. A view of the portion of the panel of one
embodiment is also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0028] One embodiment of the present invention is an assembly
comprising a panel with sections on both sides for connecting to
cable segments. Cable segments can be connected to the sections on
both sides of the panel. The cable segments can include a latch end
connected to the panel and a connector end. The latch end of the
cable segments can be connectable to connector ends of other cable
segments of other assemblies. These assemblies can be connected
together to form a wall.
[0029] In one embodiment, the panels 100 are light tiles. Light
tiles can be attached to and supported by the support wires 101.
The light tiles can include a light source and a light guide. The
support wires 101 may be tensioned to a degree that will allow the
attachment of the light tiles. The support wires 101 can be formed
of multiple cable segments.
[0030] The use of support wires can greatly reduce the weight of
the entire structure. One problem with using a frame to hold up the
light tiles is that this can greatly increase the weight of the
entire system. Additionally, the use of support wires increases the
total display area and visibility of the light produced by the
light tile. The support wires can be spaced parallel to one another
such as the light tiles can be attached in a regular pattern to the
supports wires. The light tiles can include an attachment unit, or
the attachment unit can be part of the support wires. In one
embodiment, the light tiles are clipped to the support wires. In
one embodiment, the light tiles can attach to two support wires.
This can be done by using an attachment unit on two different sides
of the light tile. The light tiles can be made waterproof, such
that condensation does not form within the light tiles. The
arrangement of the support wires can determine the shape of the
system including the light tiles. For example, the support wires
can be arranged in a helix, such that the light tiles form a
column. The support wires can be angled or arranged to form a shape
or curve. The light tiles can then be clipped to the unit.
[0031] FIG. 1A shows rectangular or square shaped light tiles, but
the light tiles can be curved, hexagon, triangle or any other
shape. Hexagon shaped light tiles have advantages in producing
curved light displays. The connectors for the hexagon could be
positioned on the back of the light tile, so that the light tile in
adjacent columns can be attached to the same support wire.
[0032] Data and power can be distributed using a series of
nonstructural utility bars or backup structures. A secondary
structure can be positioned in behind or in front of the curtain
wall (or in front depending on your point of view) Main power
distribution and the addressing of the tiles can be handled by
electronics concealed in these structures. The bars can be spaced
meters apart which also adds to the overall transparency of the
system.
[0033] Power and data can be looped from tile to tile with
connectors in a serial data system. Alternately, a column and row
drive system could be used to minimize the amount of data
distribution. Such a system might incorporate the support wires.
Column information can be sent over the support wires (perhaps
encoded with the power) and the row information can be looped from
tile to tile.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a detail of an embodiment. The support wire 201
is tensioned between light tiles 202. Each light tile 202 can be
connected to the tensioned support wire 201 using a two part latch
203. The "two part" refers to the fact that a first and second task
must be performed to disconnect the latch 203 before the light tile
202 is loose and able to be removed. Alternately, the latch can be
a "single part" latch.
[0035] In a further embodiment, at least one edge of the light tile
202 is composed of an engineered aluminum extrusion 208. The gap
210 between the light tiles 202 may be filled with a silicone caulk
or clear rubber tubing after installation. This allows for thermal
expansion and contraction of the large array and will accommodate
slight movement between light tiles 202.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the detail of a latch of one embodiment. The
latch 301 is attached to a support wire 302 which has a cable
connector end 303 which may be swaged. The swaged end connector 303
can fit into a slot on the latch 301 and can be retained in this
slot by pressure from a pin 304. The pressure on pin 304 can come
from an associated spring which sits in a cavity in the top of the
latch 301 behind the pin 304. This latch end 301 can either be left
as part of the support wire 301 when a light tile is removed for
service or be attached to the light tile for easy installation.
[0037] A secondary attachment may be made through a hook 305 which
is permanently a part of the panel attached to the light tile. The
hook 305 may be attached to the latch by a removable pin (not
shown).
[0038] In one embodiment to detach the support wire 302 from the
latch end 301 it is necessary to first slide back the pin 304
against its spring pressure and then to press release button 306.
The support wire 302 may then be lifted out from the latch 301 thus
releasing the light tile from the support wire 302.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows the detail of a hook 400 of one embodiment. The
secondary attachment hook 400 can be attached to an aluminum
extrusion 401 that forms the core of the light tile.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows the detail of a support cable of one
embodiment. The support cable 502 may extend out of the latch 503
which is attached to the aluminum extrusion 504 that forms the core
of the light tile. The support cable 502 on the last light tile in
a run may be looped up 501 and the swaged metal end connector 506
locked into the latch 503 for cable management.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows additional detail of the latches of one
embodiment. In an assembly with more than one light tile the
latches 601 and 602 alternate so that a latch 602 at the bottom
right side of one light tile attaches by support cable to a latch
601 on the top left side of the next light tile.
[0042] The hook 605 may be mounted to the light tile in the
adjacent row or column and can be used to lock one row or column of
light tiles to the adjacent row or column of light tiles.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment where the light tiles 701
each comprise multiple pixels 702.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows that light tiles 802 may be configured in such
a way that the pixels 803 on the sides of the light tiles 802 are
adjusted in size to compensate for the channel 804 required for the
cable and thus maintain an equal pixel spacing over the whole
display.
[0045] The light tiles 802 can include different colored LEDs. The
light tiles can produce light by mixing light of the different
colored LEDs. The light tiles can include a light guide to spread
the light over a larger area. The system may also include a control
unit adapted to use a video signal to control colors of the light
tiles. The light source can provide light of different colors.
[0046] The front or back of the light tiles can be translucent. The
attachment mechanism can be part of the cable system. The tile can
use a light source other than LED such as OLED, PLED or even more
traditional lamps such as fluorescent.
[0047] The tile can be square, rectangular or any other shape that
might be easily integrated into a large array of tiles so that the
tiles both fit together and can be suspended from a tensioned cable
system.
[0048] Patterns can be incorporated in the molding of the shell or
the pattern of the light guide or printed dot pattern on the light
guides. The pattern on the light guide can be injection molded.
Interesting shapes can be created by tensioning cable to different
locations within a single installation. For example a helix shape
can be produced.
[0049] Photovoltaic's can be included along with a power storage
component of some sort in order to make the system self-sufficient
on power should conditions allow.
[0050] Tile can be made in curved forms. Multiple tiles can be
fabricated together in panels and then attached to a tensioned
system thereby reducing the number of attachment points. The cable
size and point load considerations may outweigh this benefit.
[0051] Materials other than steel can be used for the tensioning
lines. Composite materials and more traditional rigging materials
such as webbing are possibilities. In smaller systems metal flat
stock could be used as the supporting component even though it is
not tensioned.
[0052] Power distribution can be incorporated into the tensioning
cables.
[0053] Tiles using the Planon, or other flat fluorescent light
source, can be incorporated into the tile system in order to
provide light in certain locations.
[0054] The power and data can be distributed from the side with a
vertical utility column rather than from the bottom using a
horizontal utility column.
[0055] The system described here can easily be integrated
completely into a standard glass curtain wall system by a company
such as Pilkington. This completely eliminates and additional
structure that might be required for such a system in turn reducing
the cost of the project. A system using the light guide with the
dot pattern would also partially reflect light back away from a
building helping to reduce the heat load.
[0056] The light tiles can display information from a video signal.
In one example, the light tiles can mix light from clusters of red,
green and blue LEDs. A light guide can help mix the light from the
LEDs. The light guide can spread the perceived origin of the light
over a wider area as well as redirect the light to viewer
locations.
[0057] Control units can receive a video signal over a video data
bus from a video processor. Any type of video signal can be used.
The control unit can select a sub-set of the pixels of the video
data to drive the LEDs in the light tiles. The sub-set of pixels
can be determined by addresses which are provided across the
control bus or in another manner. In one example, the light tile
group is an 8.times.8 grid of light tiles. An 8.times.8 sub-set of
pixels within the video signal can be selected to determine color
information for the light tiles. Data for more than one pixel in
the video can be used to produce a single color to be displayed on
a light tile within the light tile groups. The control unit can be
used to adjust the intensity of the LEDs in accordance with a video
signal. A monochrome embodiment can use LEDs of the same color to
produce a single color, or "black-and-white" display.
[0058] In one embodiment, the color information from the video
signal is converted to driving voltages for the LEDs. The LEDs are
preferably calibrated so that the same driving voltage produces
similar color intensities for the different colored LEDs.
[0059] A personal computer with local monitor can control a signal
processor. The signal processor can provide a video signal to
multiple panels. Each panel is constructed of multiple light
tiles
[0060] Picture element light tiles can use a light guide to mix
colors and spread the light so that the apparent source of light is
a relatively wide region such as, the front facing surface of the
light tiles. This makes it comfortable to view the light tile from
a few feet away. The low resolution picture element light tiles are
thus very useful for designers and architects to incorporate into
video displays in retail environments.
[0061] In one embodiment, the pitch, the distance from the center
of one pixel to the center of the next pixel, is no less than 20
millimeters. In a further embodiment, the pitch is 40 mm or
greater.
[0062] In a yet further embodiment, the pixel size of the light
tile is about 20 mm or greater in width. Since the light tiles are
relatively large, the disadvantages of prior art systems are
avoided. Such pixel element light tiles are significantly larger
than those normally used in video displays. Video displays focus on
making the pixels as small as possible and the use of larger pixels
is counter-intuitive.
[0063] The use of the pixel wall element also addresses a number of
criteria, in addition to viewing distance, which influence
decisions regarding the use of low resolution video displays. Depth
is a critical issue in any design process given the cost of floor
space in any building. The wall mounted, picture element can be
made relatively thin. The low resolution video display can be
adapted to work with a wide variety of design specifications while
maintaining a low price point. The low resolution video display can
be easily integrated with other interior requirements such as
shelving and signage.
[0064] In a further embodiment, each pixel is packaged as a
self-contained light tile for ease of maintenance. A housing may
conceal the LEDs.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows a further tile design which may use a further
embodiment of the invention.
[0066] The LEDs may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 901
in a strip at the base of the pixel. A cable assembly can connect
from PCB to a control unit (driver board) which converts incoming
video information into voltage for the LEDs. The data and power
supply signals comprising this information can further be passed
from one PCB 901 to a further PCB through the pins 902. Pins 902
have a thin cross-section to minimize their intrusion into the tile
and thus maximize the transparency of the tile. Light from the LEDs
is directed into a light guide 903. The light guide 903 can be
constructed of a plastic, glass or other material. In one
embodiment, the light guide 903 has a collimator to collimate light
from the LEDs mouthed on the PCB 901. The light guide 903 can also
use a printed pattern to reflect the light forward toward viewing
positions. In one embodiment, the light guide uses diffusion, such
as a Fresnel grating, on the front facing surface. The back and/or
sides of the housing can be treated with or composed of a
reflective material. Light from the light tile is directed forward
toward an optional cover or shell. The cover or shell can be a
diffusion plate and/or tinted to improve the contrast of the color.
Such a tile is a lightweight construction and may be advantageously
supported and suspended on a tensioned cable system as herein
described.
[0067] Surface Mounted LEDs can be used. Surface Mounted LEDs are
relatively expensive but allow for a more compact light tile. A
separate mixing light guide may be used, with or without a
reflector, in order to achieve a more complete homogenization of
color. The LEDs may be mounted perpendicular to the light guide.
Organic LEDs (OLEDs) may be used to create the light tiles.
Though-hole LEDs can also be used. The light tiles may be removed
from the support wires and used separately with the same power
distribution and video driver. The pixel size is not fixed.
Different sized pixel light tiles may be used in one system. A
driver board may have an adjustment for cable length due to
resistive losses in the cables. Different types of materials may be
used as light guides. A screen can be fabricated without the tinted
plastic front face if contrast is not a priority. Slugs or plastic
covers with no electronics can be mixed in with functioning pixels
in a grid. Textured front faces or other coverings may be attached
or hung in front of the pixels. A coating may be used on the front
face to improve contrast. LED clusters at both ends can be used to
maximize light output and color mixing a light tile. The light
tiles can be housed in a transparent plastic or glass sheet. The
pixel light tiles can be used to edge light shelving or to
backlight signage.
[0068] The materials for the light tile can be IP 66 or IP 68
approved materials to allow for the external use of the light
tiles. In one embodiment, the LEDs are grouped on the PCB in
clusters of red, green and blue LEDs. The LEDs can preferably be
calibrated so that a conventional video driver for LEDs to produce
light that can be mixed within the light guide with the light tiles
of the present invention.
[0069] The picture element light tiles can use a video signal to
provide dynamic lighting effects within a store or other location.
The video signal can be a prestored signal from a storage medium,
such as a DVD or computer memory. Alternately, the video signal can
be from a camera or computer generated.
[0070] The light guides can be used to create large video displays
in which each picture element can be viewed from 360 degrees
vertical orientation and 160 degrees horizontal orientation. The
pixel light tiles can be placed anywhere with no fixed distance
between the light tile and the required video processing.
[0071] Existing screens have a fixed relationship in pitch which is
a measurement of the distance from a pixel center to the next pixel
center. A 10 mm screen fabricated using the Modular Enclosure
method will always be a 10 mm screen. The design of the pixel light
tile allows a designer to change pitch in a graduated manner within
one screen while the screen is being installed.
[0072] The LED cluster may be Surface Mounted Device (SMD). In one
embodiment, a basic cluster is composed of at least one red, green
and blue LED mounted to a PCB. A cable assembly from the LED
cluster to a driver board. The cable assembly may or may not be IP
68 rated for outdoor use. A light guide assembly can include a
visible element such as a bulb and may also include a neck and/or a
collimating lens (not pictured). The parts in this assembly can be
selected based on the LEDs being used. Light guides can be composed
of optical grade PMMA/Acrylic and other material. A layer of
light-scattering diffusion on the outside of the bulb which can be
applied as a coating or as a surface treatment. This may also
include a UV coating and an anti-reflective coating.
[0073] A control unit, such as a driver board, can send line
voltages down the cable assembly to the LED cluster. Light from the
LED cluster is channeled into the light guide assembly. If it is
required by the type of LED used, the light guide will initially be
used to mix the colors of the individual red, green and blue LEDs.
The light will next pass into the visible part of the light guide,
such as the bulb, where it is reflected until it strikes the
outside of the bulb can be treated to allow the light in the guide
to escape. This makes the light guide glow.
[0074] Any number of such pixel light tiles may be used in a
system. To maximize light output and color mixing a tube could be
used with LED clusters at both ends. The light guides can be
irregular shapes and heights to create a video topography. Surface
Mounted LEDs may require no mixing light guide and a significantly
smaller bulb portion. A high intensity white (or other color) LED
can shine down from the middle to light space below while the video
pixel makes the light tile glow. This in essence becomes a pixel
within a pixel.
[0075] A coating may be used to improve contrast. Alternate
materials may be used for the light guide such as polycarbonate.
Any number of LED's may be used as well as different combinations
of colors. Applications for a bulb based pixel light tiles include
a video ceiling, a video dividing wall, a video curtain for a
performance in the round and a window decoration in an atrium. The
screen can also be used in conjunction with a number of hard and
soft translucent coverings.
[0076] One embodiment of the present invention uses a group of
relatively large pixel light tiles. In one embodiment, at least
some of the light tiles being greater than or equal to 20 mm in
pixel size. At least one LED can be used to produce light of
different colors. A control unit is adapted to set the color of the
light tiles in accordance with a video signal.
[0077] The light tiles can be constructed using a light guide as
described above. The light guide can spread the light over a wider
area. Light from different colored LEDs is mixed in the light
guide
[0078] Alternately, an embodiment without a light guide can be
used. Large-sized LEDs can be used. In one embodiment, groups of
LEDs or clusters of LEDs driven with the same signal can be used.
The LED(s), LED groups or LED clusters can be positioned on the
outside of the light tile. In this way a pixel size of greater than
20mm can be created.
[0079] Organic LEDS (OLEDs) and polymer LEDs (PLEDs) can be used.
OLEDs and PLEDs are especially useful for the embodiment without a
light guide.
[0080] In addition to retail environments, the embodiments of the
present invention are useful for many other applications including
concert touring, TV production, other architectural environments,
clubs, theme parks, corporate events, etc. In one embodiment users
can use the light tiles to form scenic elements.
[0081] There are many uses for the light tiles in furniture for use
as table tops, Chinese/Japanese folding screens, counter tops,
headboard for beds, and shelving. The light tiles can be a
substitute for traditional ceramic/mosaic tiles for example in
showers, etc.
[0082] The light tiles can be used as floor panels and ceiling
tiles. The light tiles can cover the outside of a building or be
used to produce doors. The light guide can be curved or an
irregular shape (octagon, mosaic tile, etc). The light guide can be
an entire object: such as a chair, table top.
[0083] The frames used can be constructed of a flexible material,
such as rubber. This can allow the frames to be connected to a
curved wall for example. The frames can be hinged
[0084] The light tiles can be light from the edge to allow the
light tiles to be placed with little or no gap between the tiles.
The tiles can have beveled edges allowing the LEDs to shine in at
an angle from behind. Mirrors, prisms, or other optical devices can
be used to reflect the light. This may make the system slightly
deeper, but it can eliminate/minimize the frame around each
pixel
[0085] In one embodiment, the light guide is mostly transparent
when the LEDs are turned off and suitable for use as a window. When
turned on, the light guide glows with color.
[0086] In one embodiment, a large diffuser which covers multiple
light tiles is positioned in front of the light tiles to make a
seamless image. The diffuser can be positioned some distance from
the light tiles.
[0087] In one embodiment, the circuit board and a light guide are
placed in a metal frame and no assembly holds the two together
before placing them in the frame. The frame and the light guides
can be a single piece of molded acrylic or polycarbonate. The
circuit boards containing the LEDs can be slotted in place in this
block.
[0088] In one embodiment, the light guide can include active and
non-active areas. The non-active area will not glow as
significantly as the active area. An active area of the light guide
can be a distance from the LED source in a larger sheet of acrylic
instead of starting right by the LED sources
[0089] A light guide can have variable density of reflecting
material. One use of a variable density of reflecting material is
to help maintain an even light output as light intensity falls off
from the source. A gradient pattern can keep the apparent intensity
constant.
[0090] In one embodiment, a wall can be made of vertical rods where
the light guides radiate from the rods in a fixed or variable
manner. The rods themselves can also move. In one embodiment, a
light tile is a laminated piece of plastic/glass where the LEDs and
the light guides are contained in a sandwich. All of the elements
can be transparent.
[0091] Silk screening can be used to create different shapes and
patterns on the light tiles. Reflective materials behind the light
guide can be used to show different images when the light is
off
[0092] The light tiles can be a single or dual color version. A
single color version can effectively produces a black-and-white
display. Information for a single or dual color version can be
derived from a video signal.
[0093] The light tiles can be wirelessly connected to control
elements using a wireless connection such as WiFi, Bluetooth,
etc.
[0094] The light tiles can be linked to a trigger, such as a
doorbell. The light tiles can use music to set the light
functionality. For example, an audio signal can be used to produce
a video signal that drives the light tiles. The light tiles can be
linked to a clock to shine different colors at different times in
the day. The light tiles can have a touch sensitive surface that
activates the lights. Interactive feedback can be used to trigger
the lights from sensors to detect, weight, sound, heat/motion,
and/or ambient light levels.
[0095] In one embodiment a video output on the last light tile in a
sequence is used to help verify remotely that the system is
working.
[0096] In one embodiment, a laminated panel is used where the LEDs
and the light guides are contained within a sandwich of transparent
panels. The transparent panels could be acrylic, polycarbonate of
glass or any other optically appropriate material.
[0097] In one embodiment, dichroic or other red, green and blue
filters are used with white LED light sources to create a source of
illumination for the light guide.
[0098] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the
present invention has been provided for the purposes of
illustration and description; it is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the relevant arts. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in
the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and
with various modifications that are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the claims and their equivalents.
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